Des Moines IA vs Henderson NV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Henderson, NV
Nevada · Population: 324,523
- Median HH Income$88,654
- Median Home Price$487,098
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Henderson
324,523
Henderson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Henderson
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Henderson
42.5
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Henderson
14.1%
Henderson +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Henderson
64.7%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Henderson
6.2%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Henderson
9.5%
Henderson +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Henderson
18.3%
Henderson +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 324,523 | Henderson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 42.5 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 14.1% | Henderson + |
| White | 66.9% | 64.7% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 9.5% | Henderson + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 18.3% | Henderson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Henderson
$88,654
Henderson +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Henderson
$49,141
Henderson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Henderson
$62,696
Henderson +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Henderson
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Henderson
8.4%
Henderson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Henderson
36.8%
Henderson +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $88,654 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $49,141 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $62,696 | Henderson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.7% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 8.4% | Henderson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 36.8% | Henderson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Henderson
$487,098
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Henderson
65.6%
Henderson +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $487,098 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 65.6% | Henderson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Henderson
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Henderson
2417
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 460 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2417 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Henderson
28.9%
Henderson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Henderson
10.9%
Henderson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Henderson
17.5%
Henderson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Henderson
10.3%
Henderson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Henderson
15.6%
Henderson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Henderson
12.8%
Henderson +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 28.9% | Henderson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.9% | Henderson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.5% | Henderson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.3% | Henderson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.6% | Henderson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.8% | Henderson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Henderson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Henderson
5.2 µg/m³
Henderson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Henderson
75.0%
Henderson +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Henderson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Henderson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Henderson
26.0 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.0 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Henderson leads in median household income at $88,654, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Henderson. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Henderson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Henderson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.9%.
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